Enet, the Irish broadband network company, launched its 1 gigabyte-per-second (gbps) network in north Kerry today, showcasing its capability as it begins to roll out its network as part of the National Broadband Scheme.

Enet, the Irish broadband network company, launched its 1 gigabyte-per-second (gbps) network in north Kerry today, showcasing its capability as it begins to roll out its network as part of the National Broadband Scheme.

The network set up in Kerry cost €650,000 and will provide high-speed broadband to 340 premises.

Speaking at the launch today at Ballyseedy Home & Garden Centre, Ballyseedy in Tralee, Enet's chief executive, Conal Henry, said: “We’re not here today to promise what we will do, but to demonstrate what we have done.

"We’ve funded and built this local network, and families here are now enjoying genuinely world class broadband services. Furthermore, end users have a range of service providers to choose from, a fact that is facilitated by our open access model."

"The Government is determined to eliminate the digital divide between rural and urban areas by delivering high speed broadband to all non-commercial rural areas by 2020. The funding for the roll-out of this has been allocated in the Government's capital plan," the Taoiseach said.

There are four retail service providers: Bbnet, Kernet, Permanet and Ripplecom offering broadband services to the householders over enet’s network.

Other service providers are also expected to start offering services to local householders and businesses in the coming weeks and months.